Shaq Thomas had credentials when he arrived for his freshman basketball season at the University of Cincinnati. He was rated as a four-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com after averaging 28 points and eight assists per game as a senior in high school. Thomas’ combination of size (6-feet-7), speed and agility raised expectations of what he could be for the Bearcats.

Thomas, now a fifth-year senior, led UC with 18 points and six assists in its 93-63 exhibition game win against Grand Valley State on Tuesday. It was a tantalizing performance from a player who knows what he can mean to a team that returns all five starters, its top six scorers and nine letterman from last season’s 23-win squad.

Just as Justin Jackson took a monumental leap in play two seasons ago when became a senior, Thomas knows it’s his turn to provide a similar boost.

“I saw Justin’s growth from his junior to senior year and how much he got better,” said Thomas. “I want to simulate things he did. I want to play harder in practice and be more consistent.”

Being more consistent will start on Saturday when UC hosts perennial Division II power Bellarmine at noon in its second and final exhibition game at Fifth Third Arena. The Knights, who went 31-4 last season and reached the national semifinals, will provide a tougher test than Grand Valley State. The feature a front line of center Yasin Kolo (6-10), forward Josh Derksen (6-9) and forward George Suggs (6-10).

Bellarmine lost to Louisville, 71-55, last Sunday but gave UC a scare last season before the Bearcats pulled out an 86-79 win.

“It’s a great way to ruin a nice Saturday,” said UC coach Mick Cronin. “They have a Division I front line. They’re bigger than most teams we play.”

Thomas is the kind of player who can give any lineup fits. He was 5-of-9 from the field against Grand Valley State but also got to the free throw line. He made all seven of his attempts. The 18 points would have equaled a career high for him in a regular season game. Ditto for the seven made free throws. The six assists are more than he’s ever had in a game in his career.

Cronin said any complaints that Thomas hasn’t lived up to those freshman expectations have to be lobbied at the coach. It’s same thing Cronin about Jackson’s transformation; it was the coaching staff’s responsibility to help the player improve.

“The answer for (Thomas) is to become more of a play-maker,” said Cronin. “Because of his size and the way he can drive the ball, he should be a passer – a very good passer like a LeBron James because he can pass over the defense. We’ve tried to work with him on that, where in the past we worked with him on finishing so much I don’t think his mind was on making the pass.”

Thomas averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds last season. He has scored in double digits in consecutive games just four times in his career, including a three-game stretch last season when he scored 18 at Houston, 13 against Central Florida and 11 at Tulane.

After putting on 15 pounds in the offseason – he’s now listed at 210 pounds - he expects more games like those this season.